The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-26
UNsER FRITZ.
Anecdotes by codson Of the Ger
man Crown Prince.
New York Tribune.l

New York Trlbune.l
At a moment when the Empire Of Germany
is on the eve Of an immense catastrophe-far
greater even than is generally supposed-the
following observations from one who, since
his boyhood, has been on terms Of close per-
sonal intimacy with the Crown Prince, and
whose relatives have during the past century
filed numerous important posts in the house.
holds of the Prussian royal family, may
prove Of interest.
In abiding to the fact that the public ap-
pears to be unaware Of the full extent Of the
misfortune which has so heavily stricken the
House of Hohenzollern. 1 refer to the very
precarious state of health Of Prince William
of Prussia. His condition has been thrown
completely into the background for the mo-
ment by the sudden and overwhelming real
ization Of his fathers fatal malady and his
grandfather's eyer-increasing weakness and
debility. hear the young man spoken Of
on all sides as likely TO ascend the throne OF
Germany before the close Of the coming win
ter. and numerous predictions are published
as to the manner in which his somewhat I'M
sympathetic and hasty character Is likely
to affect the future policy OF the Empire ana
the peace of Europe. All these con1ectures
are premature and unlikely TO be realized,
for there is considerable doubt as to whether
the young Prince will outliye either his Ia
Their or grandfather. He Is suffering, name
iy, in severe degree from the same peculiar
disease which carried off the late King OF
Prussia, after rendering him completely In
sane during the last few years OF mis- reign
The malady consists,of neyer-ending sue
cessiOn Of assesses in that part OF the ear
situated between the tympanum and the
base Of the brain. The technical name tnere-
OF is otttis media, and the danger y ever
present of meningitis and Inflammation Oh
the brain setting in. The poor lads ears, es-
pecially the right one, are In a constant state
of suppuration which 1t would be fatal TO at
tempt to check, and stuffed as they are with
large masses Of disc0l0red COTTONWOOD his as
pect is hardly an inviting one. EySry kinu
and medicinal baths, has been tried In vain
by his thoroughly alarmed physicians: Inc
disease is making rapid progress, and there
seems to be no means available OF preventing
il from affecting the brain at time which
may possibly be somewhat remote but which
may also be near at hand. In ADDITION 70
this, it must be borne in mind that, unlike
his father. his general health y exceedingly
bad, and that his left arm Is almost useless,
having been withered since his birth.
In the event Of the insanity or death OF
Prince William, one or the other Oh when
appears to be inevitable within measurable
distance Of time. the Imperial Crown. on the
demise Of the old Kaiser and Of the Crown
Prince. devolyes on Prince Williams little
four-year-old son. A bitter struggle would
then ensue for the Regency, In which the
Berlin Junker and Court Party IS determined
that the Crown Princess Victoria shall
have no share. The animosity with which
| she has long been regarded by Prince Bis
| marck and by the whole OF that ultra
| German party Of which the late Prince
/ Frederick Charles was one OF the leaders, Is
/ almost inconceivable, and since the Crown
| Princes illness has even Increased in inten-
| sity. In most cruel and unjust manner
| they blame the faithful and devoted wife for
| "Unser Fritz's" helpless condition. attribut-
| ing 1t to her obstinacy in persisting In having
his case attended to by the English specialist
Sir Morell Mackenzie. 1t Is only a few
years ago that the feeling against the Crown
Princess was running so high at Berlin that
her residence there became well-nlgh 1ntol-
Grated. Stung to the quick by the repeated
annOyances and sights to which she was
subjected both by the Court and the Govern
ment the high-splrited woman seriously
thought of leavingl Germany for time with
her husband in order to snake prolonged
stay in Southern Europe and In England. IL
was only when she became aware that her
enemies were going about Berlin openly de-
elaring that If she left the Prussian capital
she would not be permitted to come back
again, that she determined to remain.
In the event Of long minority, such as
would ensue il Prince Williams little boy
were to become Emperor, it Is difficult 70 dis
cover member of the Imperial or Royal
family who would be it to undertake the Re
WI
consideration. Prince Henry, the twenty
five-year-old son of the Crown Prince, a
bright and popular lad, has scarcely out
grown his boyho0d, and his utter lnexperi-
ence of anything outside the naval profess
sion, to which he belongs would totally unnt
him for so onerous a responsibility. should
add that Prince Henry, who holds the rank
of commander in the Imperial Navy, Is, I'M
like his elder brother, great fayorite both
Of his parents and his sisters. He has, how
ever, incurred the displeasure OF the Junker
party at Berlin by his betrothal to the Prin-
cess Irene Of Hesse Darmstadt. The mere
fact that this amiable and charming young
lady is the daughter Of British Princess
and granddaughter Of Queen Victoria, at
whose Court she has been almost entirely
brought up, is sufficient TO arouse the same
bitter feelings toward her as are displayed
In the case Of the Crown Princess.
Prince Albert, the nephew OF the Kaiser
and the Regent of the Duehy Of Brunswick,
although good, harmless kind OF man. Is
one Of the most utter numbskulls In exist
ence. l do not believe that he has q single
idea beyond the fit Of his tunic and the reg
ulation degree Of FURNISH of the uniform
buttons Of his soldiers. He Is tall, hand
some man, who gives one somewhat the I'M
preston Of the Lord Mayor OF London.s
state coaeh-very ornamental, but OF very III.
tie use.
Prince Frederick Charles, who passed
through New York on his way home from San
Francisco last spring, Is only about twenty
two years old, and although still a boy en-
Joys the distinction jointly with the eldest
son of the Crown Prince OF being the most
naughty and arrogant member OF the Ger
man Royal family. Most disagreeable and
discourteous to their interiors, and to the
members Of their households, these two
young men represent the most 0bjectional
species Of the Prussian military Junker.
of Prince George and Prince Alexander,
the cranky sons of a crazy mother, 1t Is scarce
ly necessary to say much, Notwithstanding
the fact that they are Of mature age and
hold the rank of generals in the army.